JPH11355494A - Picture input/output device, picture data output method, and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the work efficiency by efficiently obtaining a large number of copies. SOLUTION: When a start key is depressed after a copy condition is set, it is discriminated whether the number of copies is equal to or smaller than a prescribed number or not (S1); and if it is larger than the prescribed number, the number of outputs is calculated (S3) after a printer which is connected to LAN and can perform the output operation is retrieved (S2). A scanner part is operated to read a document picture (S4), and picture data are transferred also to the printer which can perform the output operation, and a device capable of the output operation is used to start the print operation (S5). If the print operation is not normally performed, another printer which is connected to LAN and can be operated is retrieved again (S7), and the number of outputs of each printer is calculated (S8), and the print operation is continued, and the copy operation is terminated at the end of all of the copy processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image input / output device, an image data output method, and an information processing system, and more particularly, to an image input / output device such as a digital multifunction peripheral having at least a scanner function and a printer function. And an output method of image data read by the image input / output device, and an information processing system for processing the image data by connecting the image input / output device to a network.

[0002]

Conventionally, when an original image is copied in an office environment in which a plurality of copying machines are arranged side by side, each of these copying machines operates independently. Of copiers, one copier is selected, and a document image is copied using the selected copier.

That is, in the related art, even when a plurality of operable copying machines are arranged adjacent to each other in a predetermined space, only the selected copying machine operates and other copying machines operate. The fact is that it does not contribute to copying at all.

For this reason, for example, when it is desired to obtain a large number of copies of 100 copies or more in a short time, conventionally, a plurality of copies of the same original image are prepared and prepared, and the user is required to use a plurality of copying machines. Copying must be performed simultaneously, and a large number of copies cannot be obtained quickly and efficiently.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an image input / output apparatus and an image data output method capable of improving work efficiency by efficiently obtaining a large number of copies. , And an information processing system.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an image input / output apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image input / output device having image input means for inputting image data and image output means for outputting image data. An output number setting unit configured to be connected to a plurality of output devices via a predetermined communication network and to set an output number, and determining whether the output number set by the output number setting unit exceeds a predetermined value. Determining means for determining whether or not, the transfer means for transferring image data to at least one or more of the plurality of output devices, when the number of output exceeds a predetermined value by the determining means, An output operation instructing unit that instructs at least two or more of the plurality of devices constituted by the image output unit and the plurality of output devices to execute an output operation; It is characterized by a door.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for outputting image data, comprising: a predetermined communication between an image input / output device having image input means for inputting image data and an image output means for outputting image data; and a plurality of output devices. Connected via a network, and when the number of output image data input to the image input means exceeds a predetermined value, at least one of the plurality of output devices
Transferring the image data to one or more output devices, and outputting the image data using at least two or more of a plurality of devices configured by the image output unit and the plurality of output devices It is characterized by:

Further, an information processing system according to the present invention comprises an image input / output device having image input means for inputting image data and an image output means for outputting image data, and a plurality of output devices connected to a predetermined communication network. And the image input / output device is connected to the image input / output device, the output number setting means for setting the output number, and the determination means for determining whether the output number set by the output number setting means exceeds a predetermined value. Transfer means for transferring image data to at least one or more output devices of the plurality of output devices, wherein when the number of output sheets exceeds a predetermined value by the determination means, the image output means and the plurality of And an output operation instructing unit for instructing at least two or more of the plurality of devices constituted by the output device to execute an output operation. .

The other features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing one embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention. The information processing system is an image input / output device having a WWW (World Wide Web) server function. First digital MFP 1
A plurality of printers (first and second printers 2 and 3) for distributing, transferring, and outputting image data read by the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 as necessary;
A computer group 4 as a server-type information processing apparatus is connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 5, and the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN).
witced TelephoneNetwork (public switched telephone network) and ISD
It is connected to a facsimile machine 7 via a WAN (Wide Area Network) 6 such as N (Integrated Services Digital Network).

The first database server 8a stores and manages the binary image data read by the first digital multi-function peripheral 1 as a database, and the first database client 8b is stored in the first database server 8a. It performs browsing / searching of existing image data. The second database server 9a stores and manages multi-valued image data read by the first digital multi-function peripheral 1 as a database, and the second database client 9b stores
Of the image data stored in the database server 9a.

The e-mail server 10a receives the image data read by the first digital multi-function peripheral 1 as e-mail, and the e-mail client 10b receives the e-mail received by the e-mail server 10a for browsing or sending e-mail. To the e-mail server 10a. The Notes server 11a stores Notes (made by Lotus Corporation) as groupware, receives and stores and manages image data read by the digital multi-function peripheral 1, and the Notes client 11b stores images stored in the Notes server 11a. Browse and search data.

The WWW server 12a is an HTML (Hypertext Matrix) as a markup language constructed under a WWW (World Wide Web) environment as a wide area information network.
The WWW client 12b has a built-in WWW browser for analyzing the contents of the HTML document, and browses the HTML document via the WWW browser, and performs the first digital composite operation. The machine 1 prints out an HTML document. That is, the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 has a built-in WW described later.
An HTML document provided from the WWW server 12a to the LAN 5 can be printed out based on a request from the WWW client 12b in addition to a request from the W server module.

[0015] DNS (Domain Name System) server 10
0 is the host computer name and IP (Internet Protocol)
l) An address correspondence table is built in, and the user can obtain the IP address of the destination host computer by inquiring the DNS server 100 when the IP address of the destination host computer is unknown.

A router 13 is connected to the LAN 5, and the router 13 is connected to the Internet / intranet 14. The Internet / intranet 14 includes the first digital multifunction peripheral 1a, the first or second database server 8a, 9
a, a second digital multi-function peripheral 15, a database server 16, an e-mail server 17, and a WWW server 18 having the same functions as the e-mail server 10a and the WWW server 12a are connected.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the external appearance of the digital multifunction peripherals (first and second digital multifunction peripherals 1, 15).
The digital multifunction peripherals 1 and 15 include a scanner unit 19 that performs an operation of reading image data, a printer unit 20 that prints image data read by the scanner unit 19 in an electrophotographic manner, a scanner unit 19 and a printer unit 20. And an operation unit 21 for issuing an instruction such as an operation mode.

The scanner section 19 includes a document feeder 22 for placing document sheets thereon, and a document tray 23 for supplying document sheets placed on the document feeder 22. A plurality of paper feed cassettes 24 containing paper and a paper discharge tray 25 for discharging recording paper on which image data is recorded are provided.

The digital multifunction peripheral 1 configured as described above,
In 15, when the original paper is placed on the original feeder 22 and a reading operation is instructed by the operation unit 21, the original paper is supplied to the original tray 23. Then, the original paper is illuminated by a light source (not shown), the original paper is scanned by a CCD line sensor (not shown), and an optical signal is converted into an electric signal to read image data (original image) on the original paper. . Then, the image data read by the scanner unit 19 is transferred to recording paper from the paper feed cassettes 24 via a photosensitive drum (not shown), and is fixed by a fixing device (not shown). Paper.

In the digital multifunction peripherals 1 and 15 according to the present embodiment, the printer unit 20 is configured by the electrophotographic method as described above. It goes without saying that other printing methods such as an ink jet method for printing may be adopted.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation unit 3. The operation unit 3 includes a liquid crystal display panel 26 to which a touch panel sheet is adhered, a start key 27 for instructing a start of a reading operation on a document image, A stop key 28 for instructing a stop of a running operation such as a document image reading operation, and an ID key 29 for inputting identifier (ID) information unique to a user.
And a reset key 30 for initializing the setting mode. A light-emitting diode (LED) 31 that lights red or green is provided at the center of the start key 27. When the LED 31 lights green, it indicates that the start key 27 can be used. When lit red, it indicates that the start key 27 cannot be used.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing details of the liquid crystal display panel 26. A main tab group 32 for providing various functions is provided on the upper part of the liquid crystal display panel 26.
The operation screen is configured to be switched by pressing one of the main tabs in the main tab group 32, and when it is impossible to change to another main tab, the main screen is switched. By changing the display color of the tab, the operation screen is not switched even when the main tab is pressed.

Next, each main tab of the main tab group 32 will be described.

The copy tab 33 is provided for the scanner unit 19.
The document image placed on the scanner unit 19 is copied by using the printer unit 20 and the printer unit 20, and transmitted to the first and second printers 2 and 3 connected to the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 via the LAN 5. The image data is transferred and operated when the original image is copied by the first and second printers 2 and 3 (in this manner, the original image read by the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 is copied by the first and second printers). Copying by the printers 2 and 3 is hereinafter referred to as “remote copy”).

The send tab 34 is provided for the scanner unit 19.
Is operated when the image data read in step (1) is transferred to the database server 8a, the e-mail server 10a, or the facsimile machine 7 in accordance with the file transfer protocol (FTP), and a plurality of transmission destinations can be designated for broadcast distribution. it can.

The retrieve tab 35 is a LA tab.
WWW server 12a or e-mail server 1 via N5
0a, the image data transmitted from the database server 8a or the facsimile machine 7, and operated when the printer 20 prints out the image data.

The tasks tab 36 is for automatically generating and managing tasks for automatically processing image data transmitted from the facsimile machine 7 or the Internet / intranet 14 and periodically printing out the image data. Operate when performing.

The management tab 37 is operated to manage the job address book, bookmarks, and account information of image data. The configuration (cofiguration) tab 38 is operated when performing settings (network, clock, etc.) unique to the digital multifunction peripheral 1.

FIG. 4 shows a case where the copy tab 33 is pressed and the copy operation screen 39 is displayed.

The copy operation screen 39 includes a printer selection button 40 for instructing display of a list of printers (first and second printers 2 and 3 in the present embodiment) connected to the LAN 5, A printer list display unit 41 that displays a list of printers that can be used by operating the selection button 40, an image quality list display unit 42 that displays a list of image quality, and a display of image quality on the image quality list display unit 42 , A density setting section 44 for setting image density, a scaling setting button 45 for setting scaling of image data, and a recording paper selection button for selecting the size of recording paper. 46, a discharge mode setting button 47 for setting a paper discharge mode such as a sorter setting, and a copy mode for setting a copy mode such as double-sided copy. A setting button 48, a parameter display section 49 for displaying these various copy parameters, a special printing setting unit 50 for commanding the special printing of the image data, ten keys 51 for performing such as a predetermined numerical value input, such as number of copies
And

On the copy operation screen 39, when the printer selection button 41 is pressed, available printers are displayed in a pull-down display on the printer list display section 40. When a desired printer is selected from the printer list displayed on the printer list display section 40, the display content of the printer list display section 40 is erased and displayed on the parameter display section 49. When the image quality setting button 43 is pressed, an image display is displayed in a pull-down display on the image quality list display section 42, and when a desired image quality is displayed from the displayed image qualities, the content is displayed in the parameter display section. 49 is displayed. In addition, scaling button 4
5. When the recording paper selection button 46, the discharge mode button 47, and the copy mode setting button 48 are operated, predetermined sub-screens corresponding to these pressed buttons are displayed, and various copy parameters are displayed through the operations on the sub-screen. It is displayed on the parameter display section 49.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control unit of the first digital multi-function peripheral 1. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 will be described below, but the second digital multifunction peripheral 15 also has the same configuration.

In FIG. 5, the control unit 52
Is an operation unit interface (I / F) 53 for controlling an interface operation with the operation unit 21; a network control unit 54 for performing network control with the LAN 5; A modem 55 for transmitting image data or demodulating an analog signal from the WAN 6 into a digital signal; and a ROM 5 storing a boot program.
6, a hard disk drive (HDD) 57 for storing a control program for controlling the system and image data,
An image bus interface (I / F) 58 for high-speed transfer of image data;
A RAM 59 used as a work area and a CPU 61 connected to each of the above-described components via a system bus 60 and controlling the entire apparatus are configured as main components.

Further, the control unit 52 includes a PDL (Page Descriptor) for performing print processing in page units.
on Language (Page Description Language) RIP (Raster Image Processor) that develops codes into bitmap images
A processing unit 62, a scanner image processing unit 63 that performs predetermined correction, processing, editing, and the like on input image data from the scanner unit 19, and a correction and resolution conversion on output image data to be output to the printer unit 20. And a JPEG (Joint Photog) for the multi-valued image data.
raphic Coding Experts Group) to perform compression / decompression processing, and to apply JBIG (Joint Bi-lev
el Imagic Experts Group), MMR (Modified mod
RP (Relative Element Address Designate)) or an MH (Modified Huffman) method, an image compression processing unit 65 for rotating image data, an image rotation processing unit 66 for rotating image data, a scanner unit 19 and a printer unit 20.
A device interface (I / F) 6 for controlling an interface operation such as a conversion operation between a synchronous system and an asynchronous system between
7 are provided. Then, each of these processing units 62 to 67
Is connected to an image bus I / F 58 via a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus or an image bus 68 conforming to the IEEE (American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394, and the operations of these processing units 62 to 67 are controlled by the CPU 61. Controlled.

Next, the above-described scanner image processing section 63,
The printer image processing unit 64, image compression processing unit 65, image rotation processing unit 66, and device I / F 67 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the scanner image processing unit 63, in which a scanner image bus I / F controller 69 is connected to the image bus 68. Then, the image data read by the scanner unit 19 is input to a filter processing unit 70 as necessary, and the filter processing unit 70 performs a convolution operation using a spatial filter.

When the original image has a closed area surrounded by a marker pen, for example, the editing unit 71 recognizes the closed area, shades the image data in the closed area, Image processing such as multiplication and negative / positive reversal is performed.
Further, the editing unit 71 samples the image data, calculates the average density of the original document for automatic density adjustment, and extracts a highly saturated color component for identifying monochrome / color.

Next, the scaling unit 72 performs an interpolation operation to enlarge or reduce the raster image in the main scanning direction, or changes the scanning speed of the CCD line sensor to change the resolution of the read image as necessary. I do.

The table 73 stores a luminance-density conversion table, and converts the luminance data as image data output from the scaling section 72 into density data.

Next, in the binarization processing section 74, the table 7
The multi-level grayscale image data whose density has been converted in step 3 is converted into binary data by error diffusion processing or screen processing to generate binary image data, and the binary image data is stored in the scanner image bus controller I / The data is transferred to the image bus 68 via F69.

The execution timing of each of the above processes in the scanner image processing section 63 is controlled by the scanner image bus I / F controller 69 described above.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the printer image processing unit 64, in which a printer image bus I / F controller 75 is connected to the image bus 68. The resolution conversion unit 76 converts the image data transmitted from the LAN 5 or WAN 6 into a resolution corresponding to the printer unit 20, and the smoothing processing unit 77 converts the resolution-converted image data into jaggies (black and white borders such as oblique lines). In this case, the so-called “roughness of image data” may occur, and the smoothed image data is transferred to the printer image bus I / F controller 7.
5 to the image bus 68. The processing timings of the resolution conversion unit 76 and the smoothing processing unit 77 are based on the printer image bus I / F controller 7 described above.
5 is controlled.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the image compression processing unit 65, in which a compressed image bus I / F controller 78 is connected to the image bus 68, and exchanges data between the input buffer 79 and the output buffer 80. And a mode setting for the image compression processing unit 65 are performed.

Hereinafter, the processing procedure in the image compression processing section 65 will be described.

When an image compression signal is input from the CPU 61 to the compressed image bus I / F controller 78 via the image bus 68, the compressed image bus I / F controller 78 makes necessary settings for the image compression section 81 (for example, , MMR method,
Then, the CPU 61 permits the compressed image bus I / F controller 78 to transfer image data. Accordingly, the compressed image bus I / F controller 78 receives the transfer of the image data from the RAM 59, the scanner unit 19, and the like, and temporarily stores the received image data in the input buffer 79.

The input buffer 79 determines whether or not image data can be transferred between the compressed image bus I / F controller 78 and the image compression section 81, and determines whether or not image data can be transferred.
If it is not possible to read image data from and write data to the image compression unit 81, control is performed so that data transfer is not performed.

On the other hand, when image data is transferred from the input buffer 79 to the image compression section 81, the image compression section 81 temporarily stores the image data in the RAM 82. That is, when image compression is performed, several lines of data are required to perform the first one-line image compression by the image compression method. Therefore, after storing several lines of image data, the first one line is stored. Image compression.

The image data compressed by the image compression section 81 is transferred to the output buffer 80, where the image data is transferred between the compressed image bus I / F controller 78 and the image compression section 81. It is determined whether or not it is possible, and the image data is compressed by the image bus I / F controller 78.
Transfer to

Next, in the compressed image bus I / F controller 78, the image data transferred from the image compression section 81 is transferred to the RAM 59 or the image bus 68 via the image bus 68.
Are transferred to the respective processing units 62 to 67 connected to. These image compression processes are continued until all the processes of the desired image data are completed or an error occurs in the compression / decompression process.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the image rotation processing unit 66. A rotation image bus I / F controller 83 is connected to the image bus 68, and the mode setting for the image rotation processing unit 66 and the image rotation processing unit 66 are performed. Timing control for transferring image data is performed.

The processing procedure in the image rotation processing section 66 will be described below.

When an image rotation signal is input from the CPU 61 to the rotation image bus I / F controller 83 via the image bus 68, the rotation image bus I / F controller 83 sets necessary settings for the image rotation unit 84 (image rotation). Size, rotation direction, rotation angle). Specifically, for example, when the image size of the image data to be rotated (binary) is set to 32 × 32 bits, the rotation direction is set to a counterclockwise direction, and the rotation angle is set to 90 °, the CPU 61 By permitting image data transfer to the bus I / F controller 83, the rotation image bus I / F controller 83
Image data sent by discontinuous addressing from the scanner unit 59 and the scanner unit 19 is transferred to the image rotation unit 84, and the image data is written to the RAM 85. That is, in order to obtain 32 × 32 bit image data, as shown in FIG. 10, it is necessary to perform 32 data transfers in units of 32 bits and transfer the image data from discontinuous addresses. . Since the image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing needs to be rotated by 90 ° counterclockwise with respect to the original image and output, the image data is sequentially transferred to the RAM 85 in the Y direction as shown in FIG. Is written to. Next, the image data written in the RAM 85 is sequentially read in the X direction, and the image data is rotated. The rotated image data is transferred from the image rotation unit 84 to the rotated image bus I / F controller 83, and the rotated image bus I / F controller 83
Is transferred to each of the processing units 62 to 67 connected to the RAM 59 or the image bus 68 by continuous addressing. The image rotation processing is continued until the processing request signal from the CPU 61 is interrupted, that is, until the image rotation processing for the desired number of pages is completed.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the device I / F 67, and shows the device image bus I / F controller 8.
6 is connected to the image bus 68.

The scan buffer 87 includes the scanner unit 19
, And temporarily stores the image data transmitted therefrom, and outputs the image data in synchronization with a predetermined timing signal. The first serial / parallel converter 88 sequentially arranges and decomposes the image data stored in the scan buffer 87, and converts the image data into a data width that can be transferred to the image bus 68. The print buffer 89 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus 68 and stores the image data in the printer unit 2.
0 is output as image data. The second serial / parallel converter 90 decomposes and arranges the image data sent from the image bus 68 to convert the image data into a data width that can be stored in the print buffer 89. The device image bus I / F controller 86 generates a timing signal to each of the above-described components 87 to 90, the scanner unit 19, and the printer unit 20, and the respective components 87 to 90, the scanner unit 19, and the printer unit 20. Control.

The device I / F 67 thus configured
, When scanning image data, the scanner unit 1
9 is temporarily stored in the scan buffer 87 in synchronization with a predetermined timing signal.

When the image bus 68 is constituted by a PCI bus, when image data of 32 bits or more is stored in the scan buffer 87, the image data of 32 bits is subjected to the first serial / parallel conversion. The first serial-to-parallel converter 88 converts the data into 32-bit image data sequentially via a FIFO (First-In First-Out) to the image bus 68 via the device image bus I / F 86. Forward.

When the image bus 68 is a bus conforming to IEEE 1394, the image data stored in the scan buffer 87 is sequentially transferred to the first serial / parallel converter 88 by FIFO, and the first serial /
The parallel image data is converted by the parallel conversion unit 88 into serial image data and transferred to the image bus 68 via the device image bus I / F 86.

On the other hand, when printing image data, if the image bus 68 is constituted by a PCI bus, the 32-bit image data sent from the image bus 68 is transmitted via the device image I / F controller 86. The data is transferred to the second serial / parallel conversion unit 90, decomposed into image data of the number of input bits corresponding to the printer unit 20, and temporarily stored in the print buffer 89.

When the image bus 68 is a bus conforming to IEEE 1394, the serial image data sent from the image bus 68 is sent to the second serial / parallel converter 90 via the device image I / F controller 86. The data is transferred, decomposed into image data of the number of input bits corresponding to the printer unit 20, and temporarily stored in the print buffer 89. The image data stored in the print buffer 89 is sequentially transmitted to the printer unit 20 by the FIFO in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the printer unit 20.
Transfer to

FIG. 13 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the CPU 61. The CPU 61 is a first module group 9 mainly performing processing related to data distribution.
1, a second module group 92 for controlling a communication transmission procedure,
A third unit that manages and controls image data read by the scanner unit 19 and image data output from the printer unit 20.
Module group 93.

The first module group 91 is, specifically,
Address book 9 for managing destinations and communication destinations of image data
User interface (UI) that has an interface 4a and controls an interface operation with a user who operates the operation unit 21
The management information is acquired by a module 94 and a request from the WWW client 12b, and the WWW client 1
WWW server module 95 responsible for notification operation to 2b
And a data distribution unit 96 for managing data distribution;
Remote copy scan module 97 for outputting image data input by the scanner unit 19 to another digital multifunction peripheral (for example, the second digital multifunction peripheral 15) connected via the Internet or the intranet 14.
And the image data input by the other digital multi-function peripheral (for example, the second digital multi-function peripheral 15).
Remote copy print module 9 for output by
8 and W for reading various homepage information on the Internet / intranet 14 and performing print processing.
And a WW pull print module 99.

The data distribution unit 96 includes a printer module 101 that is executed when the printer unit 19 is specified as an output destination, and an e-mail module that is executed when an e-mail address is specified as the output destination. 102 and the database server 8a, 9a as an output destination
DB module 103 executed when is specified
And a multifunction peripheral module 104 that is executed when another digital multifunction peripheral (for example, the second digital multifunction peripheral 15) having the same configuration as the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is designated as an output destination, Further, when the user instructs data generation by the scanner unit 19 via the UI module 94, an API (Application Programming Interface) described later is used.
ce), etc., to issue a scanner operation command.

The second module group 92 includes a LAN
5 / TCP / IP (Transmission Control)
ol Protocol / Internet Protocol) module 105,
WWW server module 95 or WW by TCP / IP
HTT providing communication to W pull print module 99
P (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) module 106
An Ipr module 107 for providing communication to the printer module 101 by TCP / IP;
Providing communication to the e-mail module 102 by S
MTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) module 1
08 and the multifunction device module 104 by acquiring the DB module 103 and device control information to be described later by TCP / IP.
Or a remote copy scan module 97 and a remote copy print module 9
8 providing communication to SLM (Satulation Manager, or
A Smart Link Manager) module 109 and a network control driver 110 that controls each component physically connected to the LAN 5.

The third module group 93 includes a data distribution unit 96, a remote copy scan module 97,
An API module 111 that controls an interface operation between the remote copy print module 98 and the WWW pull print module 99, and interprets processing contents from the modules 96 to 99 via the API module 111 and performs hardware processing. A job management unit 112 for centralized management, a codec management unit 113 for managing and controlling compression / decompression of image data specified by the job management unit 112, and a scanner management unit for managing and controlling scan processing specified by the job management unit 112 114, and a printer management unit 115 that manages and controls the printing process instructed by the job management unit 112. The codec management unit 113 further compresses the image data read by the scanning process into an FBE format. Encoder 1
16 and JP for compressing and decompressing image data read by scan processing and print processing by JPEG method
It has an EG codec 117 and an MMR codec 118 that compresses and decompresses image data read by the scanning process and the printing process by the MMR method. The scanner management unit 114 has a SCSI (Small Computing).
er Systems Interface) driver 119 is connected, and the SCSI driver 119 communicates with the scanner unit 19. Further, the printer management and management unit 115 is connected to the printer engine interface 120 and controls an interface operation with a printer engine that controls a physical printing operation. The WWW pull print module 99 is connected to the parallel port driver 121,
Data can be output to an output device (not shown).

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a distribution state in the first digital multi-function peripheral 1.

The UI module 94 controls the interface operation with the user who operates the operation unit 21 as described above. When the user performs various operations and settings, the UI module 94 mediates with each device on the network. Perform That is, the UI module 94 transfers input information to various modules according to a user's operation, and performs a processing request, data setting, and the like.

In the address book 94a included in the UI module 94, the formal names and aliases of the connected devices connected to the network, the network addresses of the connected devices, the network protocols that can be processed by the connected devices, and the processing of the connected devices Possible document formats,
The image compression format that can be processed by the connected device and the image resolution that can be processed by the connected device are stored.

Further, the address book 94a stores information on paper sizes and paper feed stages that can be fed when the connected device is a printer, and folder names in which documents can be stored when the connected device is a server. The destination and the communication destination can be determined by searching the address book 94a.

The address book 94a enables editing such as addition and deletion of data through an operation from the operation unit 21, and downloads data stored in various servers 8a to 12a. To display on the liquid crystal display panel 26 of the operation unit 21.

The remote scan copy module 97
Searches the address book 94 and, for example, when the first printer 2 is designated as the distribution destination device, reads out the resolution information that can be processed by the first printer 2, and then reads out the resolution information by the scanner unit 19. After compressing the binary image data by the MMR method based on the resolution information, the binary image data is converted into TIFF (Tag Image File Format)
The image data is transmitted in page units to the first printer 2 on the LAN 5 via the M module 109 and the like.

Further, the data distribution unit 96 includes the printer unit 2
0, broadcast distribution to the e-mail server 10a, the first and second DB servers 8a and 9a, and the Notes server 11a is enabled. That is, the image data read by the scanner unit 19 is Ip by LIPS as needed.
Output to the second printer 3 via the r module 107. The image data is sent to the printer unit of another digital multifunction peripheral (for example, the second digital multifunction peripheral 15) having the same function as the digital multifunction peripheral 1 through the SLM module 109 by MMR compression as necessary. 122, the Notes server 11a, the first DB server 8a, or the e-mail server 10a via the SMTP module 108. Further, the image data read by the scanner unit 19 is broadcasted to the second DB server 9a via the SLM module 109 by JPEG compression.

The image data is printed out to its own printer unit 20 by the WWW pull print module 99, or is compressed by the MMR method and then sent to the WWW server 12a on the LAN 5 via the HTTP module 106. It is stored in the WWW server 12a as an HTML document.

Further, the CPU 61 of the digital MFP 1
Is sent to the WWW client 12b on the LAN 5 via the HTTP module 106, and the management information is browsed / searched by the WWW browser incorporated in the WWW client 12b. be able to.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the job management unit 112, the scanner management unit 114, and the printer management unit 115. The job management unit 112, the scanner management unit 114, and the printer management unit 115 DIS (Device Information Service) 1 as a database
Data transmission and reception are performed via 23. That is, DI
In step S123, the functions, status, and billing information of the scanner unit 19 and the printer unit 20 are stored in the API module 111.
, And dynamic information such as a job start command is sent from the job management unit 112 to the scanner management unit 11.
4 and the printer management unit 115, and static information such as the functions of the scanner unit 19 and the printer unit 20 and job contents are supplied to the scanner management unit 114 and the printer management unit 115 by referring to the DIS 123.

Further, static information, dynamic information, event information, and the like from the scanner management unit 114 and the printer management unit 115 are supplied to the job management unit 112 via the DIS 123. The scanner management unit 114 and the printer management unit 11
5 when setting and acquiring data from / to the DIS 123, since the data format of the DIS 123 complies with the API module 111, the scanner management unit 114 or the printer management unit 115 and the job management unit 112 understand each other. Perform any possible data conversion. For example, when setting status data from the scanner management unit 114 or the printer management unit 115, data unique to the device is interpreted, converted into corresponding data defined by the API module 111, and written into the database of the DIS 123.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the contents of a database (DB) written in the DIS 123.

The supervisor 124 stores the status of the entire apparatus and user information. Information that needs to be backed up, such as a user identifier (ID) and a password, is stored in a hard disk device or a non-volatile storage device (not shown). Reference numeral 125 denotes a scan component; 126, a print component;
Alternatively, the printer management unit 115 sets the function and status of the component at the time of initialization. 127 is a scan job service, and 128 is a print job service. Like the components 125 and 126, the scanner management unit 114 or the printer management unit 115 sets functions and support status that can be used at the time of initialization.

Reference numeral 129 denotes a scan job, 130 denotes a print job, 131 denotes a scan document, and 132 denotes a print document. These jobs 129 and 130 and documents 131 and 132
Is the job management unit 112 each time a document is generated.
, Is dynamically secured and initialized, and necessary settings are made. Then, the scanner management unit 114 and the printer management unit 115
9 and 130 and the items necessary for processing are read from each of the documents 131 and 132 to start the job. After that, when the job is completed, each job 129, 130 and each document 13 corresponding to the job 129, 130
1, 132 are released. Note that a job has one or more documents, and thus a plurality of documents may be reserved for one job.

An event table 133 stores event information notified from the scanner management unit 114 and the printer management unit 115. A software counter 134 records the number of scans in the scanner unit 19 and the number of prints in the printer unit 20.

The scanner management unit 114 and the printer management unit 1
The event information notified from 15 includes the transition state of the component from the scan document 131, the completion of the scan processing operation, various errors, the transition state of the component from the print document 132, the completion of the print processing operation, and a paper jam. And an open state of the sheet cassette, and an event identifier (ID) for identifying each event information is predetermined.

When event information is issued from the scanner management unit 114 or the printer management unit 115, the DIS 123 registers the event ID and desired data in the event table 133 as necessary, and stores the event information in the event table 133. Is released, the released event information is deleted from the event table 133.

Also, the DIS 123
2 polls the event information, refers to the event table 133, returns the currently generated event ID and, if necessary, desired data to the job management unit 112, and determines that no event has occurred. In that case, the fact is returned to the job management unit 112.

Further, the DIS 123 updates the count value of the soft counter 134 when the event information of the completion of the scan processing operation or the print processing operation is notified.
The soft counter 134 writes a new counter value to a backup memory or a non-volatile storage device every time the counter value is updated so that the counter value is not erased due to power interruption or the like.

Next, a scan operation performed by the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 will be described.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a main part of the controller unit 52, which extracts a part related to the scanning operation. The RAM 59, the CPU 61, the ROM 56, the image compression unit 65, and the HDD 57 are connected to a bus 135 (system bus 6).
0 and the image bus 68). Also, CPU
The SCSI driver 119 built in 61
It is connected to the scanner unit 19 via the I cable 136.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the operation procedure of the scan operation.

First, the job management unit 112 classifies and holds the application-level requests sent from the operation unit I / F 53 via the UI module 94 into job numbers 137 and document numbers 138 as shown in FIG. I do.

Further, the DIS 123 stores scan parameters required for a scan operation based on an application request. More specifically, as shown in FIG.
, A scan image attribute 141, and a scan image compression format 142. In this embodiment, one job number 137 corresponds to three document numbers 138 a,
38b and 138c.
38a, 138b, 138c, image file formats 140a, 140b, 140c, scanned image attribute 1
41a, 141b, 141c, scan image compression format 1
42a, 142b, and 142c. As described above, in the DIS 123, the scan parameter 139 and the document number 138 together with the scan document 1
31 is stored.

The scanner management unit 114 instructs the scanner unit 19 to perform a scanner operation by receiving the application information from the job management unit 112 and the DIS 123.

That is, when the scanner management unit 114 receives application information including the scan parameter 139 from the job management unit 112 and the DIS 123, the scanner management unit 114 converts the scan parameter 139 into, for example, a document number 138a, a document number 138b, The document numbers are sequentially passed to the scan sequence control unit 143 in the order of the document numbers 138c. Then, the scan sequence control unit 143 receiving the scan parameter 139 controls and operates the SCSI driver 119 according to the content of the scan image attribute 141, and
The control command is transmitted to the scanner unit 1 via the I cable 136.
9 to execute the scanner operation.

Next, the scanned image data is S
Transferred to the CPU 61 via the CSI driver 119,
The image data is transferred from the CPU 61 to the RAM 59 via the bus 135, and the image data is stored in the RAM 59.

On the other hand, scan sequence control section 143
Requests the codec management unit 113 to perform image compression based on the scan image compression format 142 when the image data is stored in the RAM 59. Then, the codec management unit 113
Instructs the image compression unit 65 on the bus 135 to perform image compression, and the image compression unit 65 compresses image data according to the scan image compression format 142 in response to an image compression request from the codec management unit 113. Compressed image data to R
Store it in AM59.

In this way, the compressed image data is stored in the RAM 5
9, the scan sequence control unit 143
Requests the file system 144 to file the compressed image data based on the image file type 140. The file system 144 converts the compressed image data into a file in response to a request from the scan sequence control unit 143, and transfers the file to the HDD 57 on the bus 135 to store the compressed image data in the file in the HDD 57. When the compressed image data thus filed is stored in the HDD 57, the scan sequence control unit 143 notifies the scanner management unit 114 that the scanning has been completed, assuming that the scanning process for one page has been completed.

If a document image that has not yet been read exists when the above-described notification of the end of the scanner process for one page is sent from the scan sequence control unit 143 to the scanner management unit 114, it is stored again in the DIS 123. If the above-described scan operation is repeated using the scan parameters 139 and all the original images have been read, or if there is no scan request from the job management unit 112, it is determined that the scan operation has been completed. 112 is notified of the end of the scanning operation.

Next, a printing operation executed by the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 will be described.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a main part of the controller unit 52, which extracts a part related to the printing operation. It is connected to the. Further, the printer engine I / F 120 built in the CPU 61 operates as an engine I / F.
It is connected to the printer unit 20 via the F cable 145.

The printer engine I / F 120 has an I / F board and a DPRAM, sets parameters to the printer unit 20 and reads the printer status via the DPRAM, and exchanges data with the printer unit 20. Do. That is, as described above, the print job is
When the API module 111 is instructed from the module group 91 (see FIG. 13), the API module 111 passes the print job to the job management unit 112. Then, the job management unit 112 stores the job settings in the DIS 123 and instructs the printer management unit 115 to start the job.
Then, upon receiving the job, the printer management unit 112 reads out print parameters necessary for job execution from the DIS 123 and sets them in the printer unit 20 via the I / F board and the DPRAM.

FIG. 22 is a format diagram showing the setting items of the I / F board. The I / F board has image data width information (WIDTH) 146, line information (LINES) 147,
Address information (SOURCE) 148 on the RAM 59 where the image data is stored is set. For example, if the print job is uncompressed and is binary image data, if the width of the image size is W, the number of lines of the image size is L, and the resolution of the printer is X dpi, the number of image bytes in the width of the image data is Equation (1) and the number of lines are calculated by equation (2).

Width of image data = W × X / 8 (1) Number of lines of image data = L × X (2) For example, the width W of the image size is 8.5 inches, and the line L of the image size is 11 Inch, printer resolution X 600
Assuming dpi, the width of the image data is 630 according to equation (1).
This is a byte, and the number of lines of image data is 6,600. Then, the RAM 5 in which the image data is stored
9 is read, and the width, the number of lines, and the address of the image data are set as width information 146 and line information 14.
7 and the address information 148.

The printer engine I / F 120 has a video controller. The printer engine I / F 120 synchronizes with a video clock and a horizontal synchronizing signal (HSYNC) provided from the printer unit 20 via the printer engine I / F 120, and image data is output from the printer engine I / F 120. / F120 via the printer unit 20
Sent to.

FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing the transmission timing of the video signal to the printer section 20.

That is, as shown in FIG. 23A, a video clock is constantly output from the video controller, and a horizontal synchronizing signal is applied in synchronization with the output operation of the printer unit. Then, the video controller reads data corresponding to the width (WIDTH) of the image data from the RAM 59 and outputs the data to the printer engine I / F 120 as a video signal. Then, as shown in FIG. 23B, the process is repeated by an amount corresponding to the number of lines (LINES) of the image data.

FIG. 24 is a format diagram showing the setting items and command status of the DPRAM.

That is, when the width information 146, the line information 147, and the address information 148 are set as described above,
The print management unit 115 writes the number of output copies n (for example, 1) in a predetermined address area (Book No). Then, after that, a command 1 for requesting feeding of the recording paper corresponding to the first page
50 (FEED REQ) is output to the printer unit 20 and the printer unit 20 waits for an image request command 151 (IMAGE REQ) to be sent.

When the printer engine I / F 120 receives the image request command 151, it outputs an image output command (IMAGE START) 152 to the printer unit 120.
Upon receiving the image output command 151, the printer unit 20 outputs the horizontal synchronization signal in synchronization with the video clock signal, and the printer engine I / F receiving the horizontal synchronization signal.
120 transmits the image data to the printer unit 20. Thus, the printer unit 20 performs an output process of the image data. When the printer unit 20 detects a predetermined rear end of the recording paper or outputs image data for a predetermined line, the printer unit 20 outputs an image output end command (IMAGE END) 153,
Next, when the recording paper is output, the discharge command 154 (SE
EK OUT) is output.

Upon receiving the image output end command for the first page, the printer management section 115 sets the width of the image data, the number of lines of the image data, and the address of the next page, that is, the second page, as width information 146 and line information 147. After setting the address information 148 and outputting the paper feed request command 150 in the same manner as described above, the process waits for the reception of the image request command from the printer unit 20 to perform the image data output process.

Next, a copy operation as an image data output method according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of a main part of the system configuration diagram of FIG. 1. When the power of the first digital multi-function peripheral 1 is turned on, the first digital multi-function peripheral 1 and the first and second printers The first and second MFPs 1 and 2 are connected to a network via the LAN 5, and the CPU 61 of the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 acquires the device information of the first digital multifunction peripheral and the first and second printers 2 and 3. That is, as shown in FIG. 26, the device information includes an IP address, color / monochrome information, double-sided printing availability information, finisher information, staple information, and processing capability information. The information is stored in the RAM 59. In the present embodiment, for the color / monochrome information, the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 and the second printer 3 are set to the monochrome setting, and the second printer 2 is set to the color setting.
As the double-sided print availability information, the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 is capable of double-sided printing, and the first and second printers 2 and 3 are not capable of double-sided printing. Also,
As the finisher information and the staple information, the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 and the second printer 3 have a finisher connection and staple output, and the second printer 2 has no finisher connection and no staple output. . The processing capability information is 40 pages / min for the first digital multifunction device 1 and 6 pages for the first printer 2.
Pages / min, and the second printer 3 has 20 pages / min.

When the CPU 61 acquires the device information as described above, the user places a document on the document feeder 22 of the scanner unit 19 and then operates the operation unit 21 to set copy conditions.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a state in which copy conditions are set on the operation unit 21. The number of copies is set to 30 by operating the ten key 51, and the enlargement / reduction setting button 45 shown in FIG. 1x setting by operation (100
%), The paper size is set to “A4” by operating the recording paper selection button 46, the staple sort setting is performed by operating the paper discharge mode button 47, and these setting information are displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 26. ing.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the copy operation processing. This program is executed by the CPU 61.

That is, when these copy conditions are set and the start key 27 is pressed, it is determined whether or not the number of copies is equal to or less than a predetermined number (for example, 20) (step S).
1). That is, when the number of copies is a small number, the copy process can be executed in a short time. Therefore, it is determined that the print process only needs to be performed by the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 alone, and the process proceeds to step S4.

On the other hand, if the number of copies is equal to or larger than the predetermined number, the flow advances to step S2 to search for an operable printer connected to the LAN 5. Here, whether or not operation is possible is determined by, for example, whether or not the following requirements are satisfied. That is, (1) that printing is not currently being performed; (2) that no error such as running out of paper or a jam has occurred; and (3) operation is possible because the device information stored in the RAM 59 conforms to the copy conditions. It is determined whether the printer is correct.

After searching for printers satisfying these requirements (1) to (3), the number of output copies of each printer is calculated (step S3), and the flow advances to step S4. For example, the number of copies is Y, the processing capacity of the first digital multifunction peripheral 1, the processing capacity of the first printer 2 and the processing capacity of the second printer 3 are A page / min, B page / min, and C page / m, respectively.
If in, the number of output copies from each device is given by equations (3) to (5)
become that way.

The number of output copies of the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 = Y × A / (A + B + C) (3) The number of output copies of the first printer 2 == Y × B / (A + B + C) (4) The second printer 3 == Y × C / (A + B + C) (5) Therefore, if the predetermined number of copies is set to 20 in step S1, the first printer as an operable printer from the device information (see FIG. 26) The digital MFP 1 and the second printer 3 are searched. Then, the number of output copies of the first digital multi-function peripheral 1 is set to 20 from the formula (3), and the number of output copies of the second printer 3 is set to 10 from the formula (5).

Next, in step S4, the scanner unit 19
Is operated to read the original image, and thereafter, the original image is transferred to the second printer 3 via the LAN 5 in addition to the printer unit 20 of the first digital multi-function peripheral 1, and the printer unit 20 and the second The printing operation is started by the printer 3 (step S5).

When the printing operation by the printer unit 20 and the second printer 3 is started in this way, as shown in FIG. 29, the liquid crystal display panel 26 of the operation unit 21 displays “Printer Unit, Second Printer”. Message is displayed.

In the following step S6, it is determined whether or not the printing operation is normally performed. If not, the process proceeds to step S9.

On the other hand, if the printing operation is not performed normally, that is, if an error such as out of paper or a jam occurs, an operable printer connected to the LAN 5 is searched again (step S7). Similarly, after calculating the number of output copies of each printer (step S8), the process proceeds to step S9. In this case, if a new operable printer cannot be found, the printer executing the job (that is, the first digital multifunction device 1 or the second printer 3) is re-issued. Assign output copies.

In step S9, it is determined whether or not printing of a predetermined number of copies has been completed. If not completed, the process returns to step S5, and the above processing is repeated. End the operation.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 having the scanner unit 19 and the printer unit 20 and the first and second printers 2 and 3 are connected to the LAN 5, When the number of copies of the first digital multifunction peripheral 1 is large, the copy processing of the large number of copies can be performed in a short time by allocating the copies to the first and second printers 2 and 3.

[0122]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, an image input / output device having image input means and image output means and an output device are connected on a predetermined communication network, and the image input / output device is connected to the image input / output device. By transferring the input image data to an output device on a predetermined communication network and performing a copy process, a desired copy can be obtained in a short time even when a large number of copies are to be copied, thereby improving work efficiency. Can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an embodiment of a digital multifunction peripheral as an image input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation unit of the digital multi-function peripheral.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing details of an operation screen during a copy operation.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the digital multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a scanner image processing unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a printer image processing unit.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an image compression processing unit.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an image rotation processing unit.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for describing a method of reading image data in an image rotation processing unit.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for describing a writing direction and a reading direction of image data in an image rotation processing unit.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a device I / F.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of a CPU.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a distribution state in the digital multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a relationship between a job management unit, a scanner management unit, and a printer management unit.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the contents of a database written in DIS.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a main part of a controller unit in which a part related to a scanning operation is extracted.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an operation procedure of a scan operation.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an application format at the time of scanning held in the job management unit.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an application format at the time of scanning held in DIS.

FIG. 21 is a main part block configuration diagram of a controller unit in which a part related to a printing operation is extracted.

FIG. 22 is a format diagram showing setting items of an I / F board in a printer engine I / F.

FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing a transmission timing of a video signal to the printer unit 20.

FIG. 24 is a format diagram showing setting items and command states of the DPRAM;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of a main part of the information processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a device information table.

FIG. 27 is a plan view of the operation unit when copy conditions for remote copy are set.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a copy operation as an image data output method according to the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a plan view of the operation unit during execution of copying.

[Description of Signs] 1 First digital multifunction device (image input / output device) 2 First printer (output device) 3 Second printer (output device) 15 Second digital multifunction device (image input / output device) 19 Scanner unit (image input unit) 20 Printer unit (image output unit) 21 Operation unit (output number setting unit) 61 CPU (determination unit, transfer unit, output operation command unit, output number distribution unit, output operation detection unit, monitoring unit) )

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An image input / output device comprising image input means for inputting image data and image output means for outputting image data, wherein the image input / output device is connected to a plurality of output devices via a predetermined communication network. Output number setting means for setting an output number; determining means for determining whether the output number set by the output number setting means exceeds a predetermined value; and at least one of the plurality of output devices. Transfer means for transferring image data to an output device, wherein when the number of output sheets exceeds a predetermined value by the determination means, a plurality of devices constituted by the image output means and the plurality of output devices An image input / output apparatus comprising output operation command means for instructing at least two or more devices to execute an output operation. 2. An output operation detecting means for detecting whether or not an output operation is possible for the image output means and the plurality of output devices, and an output operation is possible according to a detection state of the output operation detecting means. 2. The image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising output number distribution means for distributing each output number to said plurality of devices. 3. The output operation detecting means determines whether at least each device is executing output, whether each device has a fault, and whether the processing capability of each device satisfies a predetermined condition. The output number distribution means distributes each output number to a device that is not performing the output, is not generating the failure, and satisfies the predetermined condition.
Or the image input / output device according to claim 2. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a monitoring unit that monitors an output operation state of each device for which the output number is distributed by the output number distribution unit and output processing is being performed. Item 4. The image input / output device according to any one of Items 3. 5. The image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of output sheets includes the number of output copies. 6. An image input / output device including image input means for inputting image data and image output means for outputting image data, and a plurality of output devices are connected via a predetermined communication network.
When the output number of image data input to the image input means exceeds a predetermined value, the image data is transferred to at least one output device of the plurality of output devices, and the image output means and the An image data output method, wherein the image data is output using at least two or more devices among a plurality of devices constituted by a plurality of output devices. 7. Detecting whether an output operation is possible with respect to the image output means and the plurality of output devices, and setting each output number to the plurality of devices capable of performing an output operation according to the detection state. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the image data is distributed. 8. Detecting whether at least each device is executing output, whether each device has a failure, and whether the processing capability of each device satisfies a predetermined condition. 8. The output processing device according to claim 6, wherein each output number is distributed to a device that is not in the middle of the failure, the failure is occurring, and the predetermined condition is satisfied, and the output processing is executed by the device. Output method of image data. 9. The output of image data according to claim 6, wherein an output operation state of each device in which the output number is distributed and output processing is executed is monitored. Method. 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the number of output sheets includes the number of output copies. 11. An image input / output device comprising image input means for inputting image data and image output means for outputting image data, and a plurality of output devices are connected via a predetermined communication network. An input / output device configured to set an output number, an output number setting unit; a determination unit configured to determine whether the output number set by the output number setting unit exceeds a predetermined value; Transfer means for transferring image data to at least one or more output devices, wherein when the determination means determines that the number of output sheets exceeds a predetermined value, a plurality of output devices and the plurality of output devices are provided. An information processing system comprising output operation command means for instructing at least two or more of the devices to execute an output operation. 12. The image input / output device includes: an output operation detection unit configured to detect whether an output operation is possible with respect to the image output unit and the plurality of output devices; 12. The information processing system according to claim 11, further comprising output number distribution means for distributing each output number to the plurality of devices capable of performing an output operation in response to the output number. 13. The output operation detecting means determines whether at least each device is performing output, whether each device has a failure, and whether the processing capability of each device satisfies a predetermined condition. The output number distribution means distributes each output number to a device that is not performing the output, is not generating the failure, and satisfies the predetermined condition.
The information processing system according to claim 1. 14. The image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising monitoring means for monitoring an output operation state of each device in which the output number is distributed by said output number distribution means and output processing is being executed. The information processing system according to any one of claims 11 to 13. 15. The information processing system according to claim 11, wherein the number of output sheets includes the number of output copies. 16. A plurality of information processing devices are connected to the predetermined communication network, and the image input / output device has transmission means for transmitting image data input to the image input means to the information processing device, The information processing system according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the information processing device includes a storage unit configured to store image data transmitted from the image input / output device. 17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of information processing apparatuses include at least an e-mail processing information processing apparatus, a database processing information processing apparatus, a groupware processing information processing apparatus, and a wide area information network processing information processing apparatus. 17. The information processing system according to claim 16, comprising: 18. The information processing system according to claim 11, wherein a facsimile apparatus is connected to the predetermined communication network.